Wet timing belt disintegrated, new engine required outside warranty

[Vauxhallowner]

I was hoping I could get some advice here!
I have a Grandland on a 2018 plate, and had the engine repair light come on over the weekend. It is 6 months out of warranty
I had the RAC come out and they have said that there is little oil pressure in the car. Took it to my local independent garage who took off the Oil Sump and advised that the timing belt has disintegrated, buggering up the entire engine. Been advised cheaper to replace the whole engine rather than strip it down.
I bought my car second hand, and it has full service history, but not Vauxhall service history.
I have spoken to the Vauxhall dealership who has advised that they can try for a goodwill gesture towards the cost but due to the factors above it is looking highly unlikely that they will contribute anything at all.
They have quoted me approx £8k plus VAT for a new engine, whereas my independent garage has quoted approx £5-6k all in for a new engine.

I have spoken to Vauxhall customer services who have said I need Vauxhall to diagnose the car (obvs at a cost) to see if I would be eligible for a good will payment towards the cost.

I am reluctant to have the car towed to the dealership, pay the cost for them to refuse and I am realistic knowing that it’s is highly unlikely that they will cough up, I just wanted to know if anyone has been in a similar situation??

What do I do?? I’m tempted to replace the engine and trade it in - at least I will recoup some costs as it is currently worth next to nothing.

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated thank you!

[Russell B]

Hi vauxhallowner.
Really sorry to hear about your Grandland,
Realistically I think as the car was serviced by independent garages Vauxhall will probably turn their noses up at you and say you should have had it serviced by a vauxhall main dealer, plus did they use vauxhall recommended parts ?
Also as it's 6 months out of warranty I can't see them coughing up for a new engine or even part of it, your best bet is to go with the latter option and get the cheaper engine put in.
Take care.
Russell B

[Deleted User 265]

Oh hell, sorry to hear that. Out of curiosity to why the belt has gone, what's the mileage on your car?

[Vauxhallowner]

Oh hell, sorry to hear that. Out of curiosity to why the belt has gone, what's the mileage on your car?

The mileage is 40k, so not excessive in my opinion.
I’m reluctantly paying for a new engine, and then cut my losses and get rid of it - don’t have much faith in the car anymore!!

[Vauxhallowner]

Hi vauxhallowner.
Really sorry to hear about your Grandland,
Realistically I think as the car was serviced by independent garages Vauxhall will probably turn their noses up at you and say you should have had it serviced by a vauxhall main dealer, plus did they use vauxhall recommended parts ?
Also as it's 6 months out of warranty I can't see them coughing up for a new engine or even part of it, your best bet is to go with the latter option and get the cheaper engine put in.
Take care.
Russell B

Thanks Russell - that’s exactly what I’m going to do! I don’t have the time or inclination pursuing something that realistically won’t get me anywhere! I’ll have to put it down to (expensive!!) experience!!

[dervdave]

I don't see why you should have to pay anything because 'the disintegrating belt' is a well known problem with Puretech 1.2 engines.
Both Peugeot and Citroen have had massive recalls for this issue.
Later models >17 are supposedly fitted with improved belts.

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/our-cars/p ... -puretech/

https://www.peugeotforums.com/threads/j ... uk.352192/

https://car-recalls.eu/peugeot-citroen- ... s-booster/

https://www.208ownersclub.co.uk/threads ... tech.5451/

[Millsy]

engine from breakers yard get it running and get rid.

[Baronoli]

I had the same issue, luckily no damage was done to the engine and I was still in warranty... Replaced with an uprated belt.


I'd try go down the route of quoting the issues with the Peugeot and Citroen cars and really battle them. It's worked for me in the past with my Astra which was 3 years out of warranty for a ECU issue

[2018 Grandland]

Hi I have a 2018 Grandland X with 29k miles on the clock with the same issue. I was 3 months out of warranty when my car had the same issue, luckily my damage wasn’t bad enough for a new engine and I only require a new cam belt kit to be fitted. Currently been waiting 6 weeks for the kit to arrive from Germany though.
Vauxhall customer care have agreed to pay 100% of the repair bill. I mentioned to them I was aware of the common issues with this engine across the PSA group. My car was serviced previously at Vauxhall garages.
The fault with this engine really should be getting resolved via a recall as they know there is an issue with this engine.
As stated earlier I have been waiting over 6 weeks for parts and Vauxhall are refusing to give me a courtesy car as they “do not accept liability for the mechanical defect”
Vauxhall issued an urgent memo to garages around 6 months ago instructing them to change the grade of oil they put into these engines so they were well aware of the issues.
I would NEVER buy a Vauxhall again, cheap cars and crap customer service.

[DaPa]

I have a 69 plate Grandland X, does this year of vehicle suffer the same issues?

DaPa